Dear El Coke Sir,
When it started, the USP was really the Death Valley Railroad with new dirt under the ties and new lettering on the rolling stock. Rail, track hardware, locomotives, freight cars, even employees made the move from Death Valley Junction to Carlsbad. All the equipment was relettered at Death Valley Junction and shipped out over the T&T.
I was always under the impression that all 12 DV ore cars went to USP. The Pioche cars were indeed Kilbourne & Jacobs, but I thought they were from a different order.
Do you know where one might locate Ansel Adams' photos of USP #3? I'd LOVE to see those!!!
Cheers,
Michael